Promotion eludes KZN golf team again

THE KwaZulu-Natal golf team barely put a foot wrong at this year’s South African IPT held at Glendower, but still could not win the B section and gain promotion back to the A section.

While the disappointment was there, it wasn’t as bad as last year, when an inspired Eastern Province denied them.

This year they lost to Gauteng North on the final day, going down 7-5.

“We came across a better side in Gauteng North. I reckon they could have come close to winning the A section, never mind the B section,” said team captain Gavin Sole.

After comfortable wins on the first four days, KZN had to beat Gauteng North. A draw would not have done as their opponents had two extra match points.

At one stage in the foursomes it looked like KZN could take a 3-1 lead but it didn’t turn out that way. They were always going to have a tough time of it in the singles as the final scoreline showed.

“We were gutted for an hour or so after the game, but then the guys cheered up,” said Sole.

The course proved quite tough, with many more fairway bunkers in play than perhaps the KZN players are used to.

He felt that overall the team had gelled well, with everyone contributing.

He felt KZN golf was in good hands, with a new crop of young talent gaining some vital IPT experience.

It looks likely that most of them will be back next year, which is encouraging.

He said the number one pairing of Malcolm Mitchell and Clayton Mansfield had reminded him of the likes of Jared Harvey and Michael Hollick, and Kevin Rundle and Bryce Bibby.

“They’re young, aggressive and confident. It was great to watch,” he said.

Sole said the team spirit had been fantastic, possibly the best he had experienced in his many years of IPT golf.

“Usually I’m the one pulling the pranks but the guys caught me out at Spur one evening, with Malcolm Mitchell organising for the waitresses to sing me happy birthday!”

“My birthday is in June, but at least I got a free ice-cream,” he laughed.

He was amazed at how far the youngsters were hitting the ball. For example, on one par five Sole hit driver, 3-wood while Matt Saulez hit driver, 8-iron.

“It was ridiculous. Are you kidding me?” he lamented.

“Most of the guys hit it high and far, especially the upcountry players. And then I come along with my low Durban draw,” laughed the Big Fish.

Ivan Curlewis made a return as team manager and added his years of experience to the equation.

“Ivan doesn’t show much emotion, he’s been there, seen it all,” he said.

The order in singles (in reverse) was Anuerin Gounden, Luke Mayo, Siyanda Mwandla, Greg McKay, Matt Saulez, Gavin Sole, Clayton Mansfield and Malcolm Mitchell.

Foursomes pairings were Gounden/McKay, Mayo/Saulez, Sole/Mwandla, Mansfield/Mitchell.

Scores as a percent (half a point for a foursomes win, one point for a singles win, maximum points achievable 7,5):

Gounden 73%; Mayo 77%; Mwandla 83% McKay 47%; Saulez 70%; Sole 70%; Mansfield 77%; Mitchell 50%,